While some of your wedding guests are cocktail enthusiasts, others imbibe only at times of celebration. Incorporating a mix of low-ABV (alcohol by volume) cocktails, spritzes and aperitivos to your reception bar setup will allow guests a range of sips that last a nighttime while you celebrate a love to last a lifetime.
Kylie Edwards of Tujague’s Restaurant has noticed a spike in couples looking to include a variety of lower-proof options for their guests to enjoy.
“It reflects a broader shift toward wellness and inclusivity,” says Edwards. “Low-ABV drinks are that perfect middle ground to make guests feel included without needing to choose between extremes. They’re ideal for older guests, non-drinkers or those who just want to enjoy a celebratory drink without overindulging. It’s thoughtful, stylish and very on-trend.”
From welcome cocktails to signature cocktail bars to second line sips, Edwards attests that these types of drinks would be perfect to incorporate throughout the reception in its entirety.
“A light, bubbly aperitivo is perfect for welcome drinks. It sets the tone without overwhelming guests early on.”
Moving further into the festivities, she suggests serving variants throughout the night by way of a low-proof “nightcap” like a vermouth-forward Negroni twist.
Says Edwards of a second line suggestion, “A spritz in a to-go cup or mini bottled cocktail would be a fun, functional touch to keep spirits high but balanced.”
Though lower in alcohol than full-tilt cocktails, these options can still reflect the popular and established drinks known within the drinking culture of New Orleans.
“A few New Orleans classics adapt beautifully to low-ABV versions,” says Edwards, noting ideas like a French 75 with a bit more sparkling wine and a lower-proof liqueur instead of full-strength gin, as well as a riff on a Pimm’s Cup with house-made herbal syrups and cucumber.
Just because these drinks may have less of a kick, they can still be served beautifully.
Notes Edwards, “It’s all about the presentation; elegant glassware, vibrant garnishes – like fresh herbs, edible flowers or dehydrated citrus – and playful names that point back to the couple. A well-styled spritz in a coupe or Nick and Nora glass feels just as special as a traditional cocktail, if not more so.”
Muriel-Anna Altikriti, co-owner of Movers & Shakers, agrees that creative and beautiful presentation is essential to dressing up low-ABV drinks.
“The fun is in the garnishes and glassware,” says Altikriti. “Doing custom garnishes like fruit cut on the bias can make a drink look pretty and fancy.”
This calls to mind ideas like blackberry basil spritzes served in highball glasses topped with a fresh blackberry garnish and Aperol spritzes accented with orange wedges.
Altikriti suggests adding herbal liqueurs like amaro as a digestif to specialty bars. “They present well and are great palate cleansers.”
She notes that coming up with creative names for the lower alcohol version sips, perhaps naming them after the couple’s pet, hobbies or interests, can be a playful addition, noting once calling a varied version of an Old Fashioned “The Prof” inspired by the groom’s professorial title.
Says Altikriti, “It’s a celebration. Regardless of the alcohol content, everyone can and should still have a really good cocktail in their glass.” b
